NHTSA Complaint #10397030 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A HIGH WATER SPOT AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION AND CONTRIBUTED THE TIRE AND WHEEL FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR: AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.